Effect of Chronic Smoking on Choroidal Thickness as Measured by Swept Source OCT When Compared to Non Smokers

Abstract

Purpose: To compare choroidal thickness between smokers and nonsmokers
by utilising swept source optical coherence tomography.
Material and Methods: A total of 80 subjects were included this study. Forty
patients were nonsmokers and 40 patients were smokers with a minimum history
of 10 years of smoking. Swept source optical coherence tomography was used
to calculate central choroidal thickness as well as choroidal thickness
measurements at varying distances from centre of fovea temporally and nasally.
All subjects were asked to refrain from smoking at least 8 hours before
measurements.
Results: The choroidal thickness measurements did not vary between smokers
and non smokers when measured on swept source optical coherence
tomography. The duration of smoking also did not seem to influence choroidal
thickness (p-value = 0.280).
Conclusion: Chronic smoking does not seem to influence choroidal thickness
when compared to healthy non smokers.
Keywords: Swept source optical coherence tomography, choroidal thickness,
smokers